Canadian Retail Sales Rose 2.1% in August

Canadian retail sales finished off the last month of summer on a positive note, rising 2.1% in August. However, the momentum was short-lived, as preliminary data for September suggests an increasing number of consumers are spending more on services rather than goods.

On Friday, Statistics Canada reported that retail sales rose to $57.2 billion in August, after declining by a revised 0.1% in the month prior. Sales were up across 9 of the 11 subsectors, while core retail sales— which do not account for sales at gasoline stations or motor vehicle and parts dealers— rose 2.7%.

An increase in sales of 4.8% at food and beverage stores led August’s overall rise in retail sales, followed by sales at clothing and clothing accessories stores, which were up 3.9% and reached the highest level on record. Retail sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers gained 2.8%, after reaching a record-breaking level in March 2021 which was subsequently followed by four straight months of declines.

For the fourth consecutive month, sales at gasoline stations increased yet another 3.8% in August, amid rising fuel prices. On the other hand, though, sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers slumped, falling 4.2%. Similarly, sales at new car dealers also fell flat that month, as inventories remained low due to the ongoing global semiconductor shortage.

However, according to Statistics Canada, August’s jump in retail sales was short-lived, because preliminary data for September shows that sales slumped 1.9%, suggesting that Canadian consumers have pulled back from spending on goods, and are instead diverting their income towards the services sector, which for most of the year was subject to pandemic-related restrictions.


Information for this briefing was found via Statistics Canada. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.

Video Articles

Baselode Energy To Acquire Forum Energy: The Merger Of Equals Deal

TriStar Gold: The Revised Castelo de Sonhos Prefeasibility Study

Gold is Up 30%, But the Real Bull Market is Only Starting Now! | Adrian Day

Recommended

ESGold To Expand Mine Building At Montauban In Advance Of Gold & Silver Production

Goliath Resources Expands 2025 Drill Program To 60,000 Metres

Related News

City of Montreal Urges Provincial Government to Allow Operating Deficit

Montreal has recently issued a report regarding some of the implications the city has faced...

Thursday, June 4, 2020, 08:15:00 PM

Trudeau Looks to Fight Cost of Living Crisis with ‘Grocery Rebate’

A senior government official told CBC News that the federal budget that will be unveiled...

Monday, March 27, 2023, 02:14:00 PM

Canadian General Government Posts $73.7 Billion Deficit In 2023

The Canadian general government (CGG), which includes federal, provincial, territorial and local governments, recorded a...

Friday, November 22, 2024, 02:11:00 PM

The Great Retirement: Canadians Are Retiring Sooner As Workforce Gets Older, Faster

There’s one more thing for Canada to worry about: the workforce is aging, and it’s...

Saturday, September 17, 2022, 11:11:00 AM

Canadian Retail Sales Rebound to 100% of February’s Pre-Pandemic Levels

As restrictions continue to be lifted across Canada’s provinces and the economy enters a modest...

Thursday, July 23, 2020, 01:47:00 PM